Travel Guide of Marylebone, London for: Langham Hotel London
4.5

Marylebone Summary

Pros

Regent's Park, home to beautiful gardens, the London Zoo, and historic mansions

Lots of shops along Oxford Street

Where Sherlock Holmes' ficitonal hangout is located

Madame Tussaud's massive collection of wax figures

Cons

Some areas get very crowded

Not as many culturally significant sites as other London neighborhoods

What It's Like

Marylebone isn't quite as upscale as its neighbor, Mayfair, but it's still an upscale residential area, and is home to several popular tourist destinations and numerous hotels. Bordered on the South by the iconic Oxford Street, a main thoroughfare lined by shops, Marylebone can get quite crowded with tourists, particularly during the weekends and holidays. Another popular spot in Marylebone is Regent's Park; originally Henry VIII's deer park, this massive royal park is characterized by multiple gardens (such as Queen Mary's), the London Zoo, and several luxurious historic villas, some of which are still private residences of the rich and famous.

Although Marylebone does not have as many museums as, say, Kensington, the neighborhood is still home to several museums and tourist sites. Sherlock Holmes' fictional hangout along Baker Street is a popular spot among visitors, as is the famous Madame Tussaud's. The Wallace Collection museum, housed in a historic mansion, is a lesser known, but culturally significant, with furniture and paintings dating back to the 15th century.

Where to Stay

Though Marylebone used to be populated only by historic B&Bs, today visitors can find almost any hotel they are looking for: budget, luxurious, quaint, the list goes on. Many choose to stay either close to Regent's Park or Oxford Street; both border the area and make visiting other nieghborhoods a breeze.